(Cavan) asked the Minister for Lands if he will state in respect of County Cavan the acreage of land acquired either compulsorily or by agreement in each of the last three years (a) for forestry purposes and (b) for relief of congestion.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cavan Land Acquisition.
14.
The total intake of land in each of the last three years in County Cavan was:— (a) for forestry purposes: 1963-64, 737 acres; 1964-65, 730 acres; 1965-66, 172 acres. (b) for relief of congestion: 1963-64, 827 acres; 1964-65, 543 acres; 1965-66, 341 acres.
(Cavan): Would the Minister like to give the reason for the apparent fall in the acreage being acquired under both headings?
As far as forestry is concerned, there was not land on offer voluntarily to the Department. As far as the Land Commission is concerned I think the last acquisition was a compulsory acquisition. This depends upon the availability of land and what kind of land comes on the market from time to time.
(Cavan): Is the Minister aware that land has in fact been offered to the Land Commission in County Cavan for the relief of congestion and that while at first they appeared to be interested then, in a matter of days, they seemed to change their minds and to say that they are not interested at the moment?
I am not so aware. I would have to get details from the Deputy.
(Cavan): The Minister may take it that that is so.
Would the Deputy send me the details?
Would the Minister say if his Department are at present turning down offers of land?
Is the Deputy referring to the Land Commission or to the Forestry Division?
To the Land Commission.
I am not aware that the Land Commission have turned down any offers of land which they considered suitable for their purpose.
Is the Minister aware that last week in reply to a question by me he said that a landowner had refused to sell and now the landowner says this is entirely untrue?
I cannot comment on that but the reply I gave was based on the information given to me.
The Minister said he would have the matter further investigated.
The Deputy is travelling away from the content of the Question.
(Cavan): Will the Minister agree that so far as County Cavan is concerned, the work of the Land Commission seems to have slowed down rather than increased following the enactment of the Land Act, 1965?
I do not agree with the Deputy's suggestion. Part of the Land Act, 1965, and in particular, the parts dealing with derelict lands which have been let over a number of years, await implementation on additional staff. That is being done. How it affects Cavan in relation to the rest of the country I could not say.
(Cavan): It seems to have dropped from 800 acres to 300 acres.
Is the Minister aware that it is common knowledge that the Land Commission have no money to buy land from anyone and can he say how soon the position will improve?
If the Deputy had taken the trouble to attend the debate on the Estimates, he would have ascertained that the amount of land acquired last year set a new record for this country.
That is the last supplementary question. Question No. 15.